Torque converter to flexplate - gap too wide!?

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Chris S

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Finally go to playing around in the shop since the weather broke somewhat around here.  Did some housekeeping, swept things up and got in the mindset to accomplish something.

Ready to install the T400 in the mustang, finished up a few things and got it into position.  Converter seated into the trans correctly for sure, nice solid thunk and the rear of the converter is about 1/8 away from the bellhousing.

Mated it up to the 500, seated nicely on the locating pins, and add a few bolts.  Got them drawn up, and check out the converter to flexplate distance....

AND ITS GOT ABOUT AN INCH TO GO!!  What the heck!  The nose of the converter isn't even touching the crank.

What gives?  They are both junkyard finds, the short shaft T400 came attached to a 425 and could be the original.  The 500 came attached to a long shaft T400 and were removed from a complete car at the yard for me.

What kind of a freak situation did I find this time?

:banghead:  :cursing:
 
MTS Marty AKA Nashillac said:
The nose has to be in the crank. Is the flexplate reversed?
Click to expand...

I didn't remove it, but that doesn't mean its on right I guess.  The raised portion with the bolt holes is towards the rear of the engine, that's correct isn't it?

 That wouldn't affect the nose/crank issue though...?

I walked away after seeing the gap.  I'll check some more tonight.....keep the ideas coming for things to check please.
 
The flexplate will only go on one direction so you are okay.  I would just bolt it up and drive away.

It's much worst to have not enough room.

TED
 
Won't that pull the converter engagement lugs too far out of the pump?  I didn't measure it, but while setting the converter in, I was able to slip a finger into the gap between it and the bellhousing.  After lining up the pugs and "thunking" the converter, the gap is nil, as in 1/8" or so.

I'm just worried about pulling it out too far and trashing the pump.
 
  A full inch is WAY too much.....don't know what on earth would cause that,but the first thing I'd do is look up in there and see how far the nose of the converter needs to move forward to go 1/4" into the crank. Then I'd move it in that far and see how much spacer it's going to take to mate up the flexplate.
    But if that converter needs to move more than 1/2" from fully seated in the trans to 1/4" into the crank there is gonna be trouble with the pump gears.  :twocents: Even 1/2 " is not normal and bordering on  :yikes:

  Terry
 
I sat down with a clear mind last night and went over it again logically.

Chances of the block being off = slim to none.

Chances of the trans case being off = slim to none.

Chances of a bunged up converter from the junkyard = pretty darn good.  Possibly why the engine/trans were in the yard to begin with.

So I pulled the trans again and checked out the converter.  Looks like someone dropped it on the nose; even if it had met up with the crank it would never have actually fit into it.

Swapped in another converter, things look good.  :yes:

I've heard of ballooned converters but never a collapsed one.... maybe that's what happens when you underpower one?  :eyebrow:

On to the driveshaft.  Weee!
 
At least you figured that out while it was still in the stand.  I learned about the two different torque converter bolt patterns after I got the motor back in the 4x4 truck and had it 90% hooked back up.
 
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